Aeroplan vs. Avion: Which Program Fits Your Goals?
Most Canadians who earn travel rewards end up confused between Aeroplan and Avion. Both programs claim to be Canada’s best travel rewards option, both have credit cards, and both let you redeem for flights—so the choice feels impossible.
The real decision isn’t about which program is objectively “better.” It’s about which program serves where you want to fly. Start by asking yourself: What airlines do I want to access? Do I want Air Canada only, or do I want options like Qatar Airways and Iberia? Your answer determines which program wins, not the earning rate or annual fee. Once you know that, everything else—card choice, earning strategy, card tier—follows naturally.
I’ll walk you through the core differences, explain when each program makes sense, and show you how to decide based on your actual travel goals.
Why People Confuse These Two Programs
Aeroplan and Avion appear almost identical on the surface. Both have multiple card options, both earn points on spending, and both promise flight redemptions on airline partners.
But they’re fundamentally different systems:
Avion is built on transferable currency. You earn Avion points and can move them to other programs, most notably British Airways Avios. This flexibility means you’re not locked into one airline ecosystem.
Aeroplan is built on direct earning into a single ecosystem. You earn Aeroplan points and redeem them within Aeroplan—primarily Air Canada and Star Alliance partners. Aeroplan can receive transfers from other cards (like American Express), but your Aeroplan points don’t transfer out.
The confusion happens because most Canadians discover these structural differences only after they’ve committed to one program—usually because they grabbed whichever card showed up first. By then, they’re either locked in or considering a costly switch. The real problem is that nobody explains the core question upfront: Where do you want to fly? That single question would resolve almost all the confusion.
The One Big Difference That Matters: Transferability
If you strip away everything else, the core strategic difference between these programs is flexibility through transferable currency.
How Avion works: You earn Avion points into an account you control. From there, you choose: Book directly through the RBC portal, or transfer to partner programs. When you transfer to British Airways Avios, you unlock access to OneWorld alliance airlines—Qatar Airways, Iberia, Finnair, Japan Airlines, and others not in the Air Canada ecosystem. That transfer isn’t forced; it’s optional and happens when you want it.
How Aeroplan works: You earn Aeroplan points directly into the Aeroplan program. You redeem them within Aeroplan—Air Canada flights and Star Alliance partners. That’s it. Aeroplan can receive transfer-ins from other cards, but your Aeroplan points don’t leave the program.
Why this matters: Flexibility is strategic optionality. If you earn Avion points and discover a year later that you want to fly Qatar Airways Qsuite or Iberia business class (two of the best premium cabin values globally), you can transfer those points to Avios and access them. With Aeroplan, you’re committed to Air Canada and Star Alliance. That’s not bad—it’s just different.
Real example: I earn Avion on my business expenses specifically because I want the option to transfer to Avios when I want Qatar Airways Qsuite business class or Iberia’s incredibly low-cost business class to Europe. Someone earning Aeroplan on business expenses and only interested in Air Canada wouldn’t need this flexibility; Aeroplan would be simpler for them.
The Money Part: Earning Rates, Card Tiers & Benefits
First principle: Travel goals drive program choice. Earning structure supports that decision.
Both Avion and Aeroplan have cards with 1.25x earning rates, so earning efficiency is roughly equivalent. The earning rate isn’t what differentiates them. What matters is choosing the right card tier for how you’ll spend and what benefits you’ll use.
Understanding Annual Fees vs. Benefits
A $599 annual fee sounds expensive until you understand what comes with it: $200 in travel credits, $100 in lounge credits, concierge service, travel insurance, and other perks. If you’re someone who uses lounge access, redemption travel credits, or concierge—especially if you travel multiple times a year—those perks have real, quantifiable value. The net cost of the card drops significantly.
If you’re just chasing points and don’t care about lounges, travel credits, or concierge, the premium fee is unjustifiable. You should choose a base-level card instead.
How to Decide on Card Tier
Step 1: Commit to a program based on where you want to go (your travel goals).
Step 2: Ask yourself: Will I actually use the premium benefits this card offers? Be honest here.
Step 3: If yes, the premium card’s annual fee makes sense. If no, choose a base-level card.
Different Spending Scenarios
Business spending only: Avion’s lower-fee structure usually wins. You get transfer flexibility for your business rewards without paying for premium perks you won’t use in that category.
Personal spending only: If you value lounge access or travel credits, the Aeroplan premium card might justify its fee. If you don’t care about perks, Avion’s base card is simpler.
Business + Personal spending (hybrid strategy): Use Avion for business (where transfer flexibility matters) and Aeroplan or Amex for personal (where you can use premium perks if they apply). This is what I do, and it optimizes for each spending category.
The point: Match the card tier to what you’ll actually use, not to the earning rate alone.
Travel Pattern Test: Which Program Fits Your Redemptions?
The decision framework is simple: Start by asking “Where do I want to go?” Then pick the program that gets you there.
Choose Aeroplan If:
You’re loyal to Air Canada or primarily fly Star Alliance partners (United, Swiss, ANA, Lufthansa, etc.). If the bulk of your travel is on these carriers and that network serves where you want to go, Aeroplan is the straightforward choice. You earn directly into the ecosystem you want, you don’t need to learn transfer mechanics, and you can redeem efficiently. If you also value premium card perks (lounge access, travel credits), the Aeroplan premium card’s annual fee makes sense.
Example: You only fly Air Canada domestically and internationally. You value lounge access. Aeroplan is your answer—simple, direct, no complications.
Choose Avion If:
Your dream flights aren’t in the Air Canada ecosystem. If you want Qatar Airways Qsuite business class, Iberia’s low-cost business class to Europe, or want to explore carriers in OneWorld or other alliances, then Avion’s transfer flexibility to Avios is essential. You’re not earning Avion because the earning rate is higher—you’re earning Avion because it’s your gateway to the airlines that matter for your goals.
Example: You want to experience Qatar Airways Qsuite. Aeroplan can’t get you there (Qatar isn’t Star Alliance). Avion can—transfer to Avios and you have access.
Add Avion to Aeroplan If:
You already have Aeroplan and it works for your Air Canada travel, but you’ve discovered there are other airlines and destinations you want to access that aren’t in Star Alliance. Adding Avion into the mix gives you both options without abandoning your existing Aeroplan balance. You keep your Aeroplan points for loyal Air Canada travel and build Avion points for the airlines Aeroplan can’t reach.
Example (This is my strategy): I’m loyal to Air Canada for some travel, but I also want to experiment with Qatar Airways and Iberia because they offer premium cabin products I haven’t experienced. So I use Aeroplan for Air Canada travel and Avion for other airline access. By maintaining both, I can go where I want without being locked into one alliance.
Decision Matrix: Quick Reference
| Where You Want to Go | Best Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Only Air Canada flights | Aeroplan | Direct earning; no transfer complexity; simple redemption |
| Air Canada + other carriers (Qatar, Iberia, OneWorld) | Both (Aeroplan + Avion) | Aeroplan for AC loyalty, Avion for airlines AC can’t reach |
| Primarily Qatar Airways, Iberia, or OneWorld airlines | Avion | Avion transfers to Avios for OneWorld access AC lacks |
| Star Alliance only (AC, United, Swiss, etc.) | Aeroplan | Direct earning into single, familiar ecosystem |
| Multiple alliances (Star Alliance + OneWorld + SkyTeam) | Multiple programs | Use Aeroplan for Star Alliance, Avion for OneWorld, etc. |
| Experimenting across airlines & unsure where to focus | Start Aeroplan, add Avion | Aeroplan for safe AC bet, Avion for flexibility if you discover other airlines |
| Already have Aeroplan, want more flexibility | Add Avion | Keep AC points; add flexibility for OneWorld exploration |
The Hidden Opportunity: What Most People Miss
Here’s the part that nobody talks about—and it’s where a lot of value gets left on the table.
Most Avion earners don’t realize they can transfer to Avios for 40-50% savings on premium cabin flights.
Typical scenario: You search the RBC Avion portal for a business class flight. You see 131,700 Avion points. You think “that’s expensive” and book it. End of story.
What you don’t know: The exact same flight, the exact same cabin, on the exact same airline costs only 70,000 Avios if you transfer first. That’s 46% fewer points for identical value.
Why the gap exists: Avion uses dynamic pricing tied to current cash fares. When a premium cabin flight’s cash price is high ($4,000-5,000 for business class), Avion points become very expensive. Avios uses zone-based pricing that doesn’t care about the cash price—it only cares about distance. Premium cabins show the widest gaps because premium cash prices are highest.
The real consequence: If you’re earning Avion points—whether from business spending, personal spending, or both—and you don’t know about this transfer opportunity, you’re leaving 40-50% of your value on the table. You’re literally overpaying in points for the same redemptions.
Why people don’t know this: The barrier is psychological, not mechanical. People freeze at “I need to transfer.” Questions arise: “How do I transfer?” “Will I lose my points?” “What if I make a mistake?” These are fair, but the truth is simpler than people think. Transfers are straightforward and one-way (irreversible), which is actually protective—once Avion becomes Avios, you can’t accidentally reverse it. If you’ve earned Avion points and want to understand whether an Avios transfer makes sense for your specific redemption, the mechanics and strategies are covered elsewhere on this site.
You Don’t Have to Choose Forever
Here’s the psychological barrier that keeps people stuck: they think choosing between programs is permanent.
It’s not.
This is a 1-3 year decision, not a lifetime commitment. You can earn Avion now, build a balance, decide you want to try Aeroplan later, and switch. Your spending patterns change. Your travel goals evolve. Your preferences shift. Points strategies can change with them.
The important part is making an intentional choice right now based on your current travel goals and earning patterns—rather than defaulting to whatever card showed up in your email or whatever a friend recommended. Once you’ve made a choice, commit to it for a year or two, see how it works for your real travel, and then you can always adjust.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I earn both Avion and Aeroplan at the same time?
Yes, if you have the earning volume to support it. Many people benefit from focusing on one program first, building momentum, then adding a second program later. If you have high business and personal spending and clear use cases for both programs, earning both simultaneously is absolutely viable and strategically sound.
If I choose Avion now, can I switch to Aeroplan later?
Yes. You’re not locked in. Programs don’t penalize you for switching—they simply stop earning you points once you stop using them. If you build an Avion balance then decide three years from now you want to focus on Aeroplan, redirect your new spending to Aeroplan. The Avion points you’ve already earned stay in your account until you use them.
Do I need to understand transfers to benefit from Avion?
No, you don’t need transfers to earn Avion or book through the RBC portal. But if you’re serious about maximizing redemption value, understanding transfers is worth your time because the value gap is so significant. You’re not leaving anything on the table if you choose direct portal redemptions—you’re just choosing to pay more points for the same flights.
Which program do you recommend?
I use Avion because I want transfer flexibility and to build a diversified portfolio across multiple alliances. I value accessing different airlines based on what I’m traveling for. For someone who’s loyal to Air Canada, loves Star Alliance partners, and doesn’t want to think about transfers or multiple programs, Aeroplan is genuinely simpler and more efficient. For someone willing to learn transfer mechanics and wanting multi-airline access, Avion is the strategic play. The “best” choice depends on where you actually want to fly.
What’s the Triple Alliance Strategy you mentioned?
It’s earning into three different global airline alliances simultaneously to maximize airline diversity. Instead of putting all earning into one program, you strategically split earning across three programs that give you access to different airlines. In my case: Avion (which transfers to British Airways Avios for OneWorld airlines like Qatar Airways), Aeroplan (for Star Alliance), and American Express Membership Rewards (which transfers to multiple programs including Air Canada for Star Alliance). This requires higher earning volume and intentionality, but it gives maximum flexibility for people who want to experiment across airlines and alliances.
The Bottom Line
Choosing between Aeroplan and Avion isn’t about finding the program that’s universally “better.” It’s about picking the program that serves how you actually want to travel, considering whether you’ll use the card benefits you’re paying for, and deciding what flexibility you want in your redemption options.
Avion makes sense if: You want transfer flexibility and multi-airline access (especially OneWorld carriers) without paying for premium perks you won’t use.
Aeroplan makes sense if: You’re Air Canada focused, value premium card benefits enough to justify the annual fee, and want simplicity within one ecosystem.
Both together make sense if: You have the earning volume and the travel goals to support both programs—using each for what it’s best at.
The important thing is deciding intentionally rather than defaulting. Commit to your choice for a year or two, see how it works for your actual travel, and build your balance. If it turns out it wasn’t the right fit? You can always switch.
